Is college a good investment?

The value and cost of a college diploma have been popular subjects in the last few months. No less than three surveys/studies have been released that look at the issue.

Youth on Education

The Associated Press and Viacom teamed up to do a phone survey of 18-24-year-olds for their thoughts on higher education. The survey showed they are worried about the college costs and are having to work to pay for college — but they are overwhelmingly optimistic about their futures.

Like the AP-Viacom survey, the results indicate some doubts about the cost-effectiveness of college, but still a vast majority seemed to think it was a good investment.

According to the Pew/Chronicle surveys, more than half — 57 percent, to be precise — of people rated college either a “poor” or “only fair” value. But among the same people, 86 percent said they felt their college degree was a good investment, and 94 percent of parents said they expect their children to attend college.

The report is also loaded with great information on college-going rates, college costs, student debt and more.

The HechingerEd blog looks at education issues, news and controversies in and out of the headlines. It’s all part of the conversation at The Hechinger Report, a website devoted to in-depth coverage of national education issues. MORE